Ledipasvir (formerly GS-5885 ) is a drug for the treatment of hepatitis C . Developed by Gilead Sciences , after completing clinical trials in February 2014, the pharmacist submitted for approval in the United States a fixed-dose combination intended for the treatment of cases of hepatitis C of genotype 1. The ledispavir / sofosbuvir combination is a direct antiviral agent that interferes with hepatitis C virus replication and may be used to treat patients with genotypes 1a or 1b withoutpegylated interferon or ribavirin . In October 2014, the Food and Drug Administration approved a combination of ledipasvir 90mg / sofosbuvir 400g called Harvoni.
Controversy over price
Like sofosbuvir, the cost of Harvoni Online has been a controversial topic. The drug costs $ 1125 per pill, which is $ 94,000 per treatment over eight weeks, $ 94,000 over twelve weeks or $ 189,000 over 24 weeks. The drug Gilead justifies this cost because it is lower than the cost of treating hepatitis C with liver transplants or the temporary treatment of liver diseases.
On February 10, 2014, phase III of the study was completed, a process prior to its commercialization. It was developed by the company Gilead Sciences .
In clinical trials it has been used associated with sofosbuvir fixed for treating genotype 1 hepatitis C, with promising results doses.
The action mechanism of Ledipasvir is to be a specific inhibitor of the NS5A protein. The combination sufosbuvir / ledipasvir consists of interfering with the replication of the hepatitis C virus.
In October 2014 Ledipasvir is approved by the FDA to be used in combination with Sofosbuvir under the name of Harvoni. Depending on the condition of the patients, the treatment can be 8, 12, or 24 weeks.